Service and Spirit Shine at Tulsa Adventist Academy
TULSA, OKLA. – This year at Tulsa Adventist Academy (TAA) was marked by growth, service and celebration.
At the start of the school year, TAA welcomed Dawnanita James to the team. She is serving as an additional first- and second-grade teacher at the school. Furthermore, enrollment reached 123 students.
Alongside this growth came a meaningful reminder of the school’s mission. One of the year’s most moving moments occurred when students received a photo of a Bangladeshi family in a refugee camp eating food provided through the school’s “Feed the Need” fundraising campaign. The image offered tangible evidence of the campaign’s global impact and reminded students of their ability to change lives. In addition, many students participated in mission trips, shared testimonies and sermons at local churches, served at a food bank and helped organize a canned food drive. At church, students often ran audiovisual equipment, played instruments, sang with praise teams or participated in Pathfinder Bible Experience teams that advanced to the North American Division level.
Students also stepped into spiritual leadership through two TAA Sabbaths. The first took place in a Tulsa park, where students led out in guest-friendly activities. The second was held at the Tulsa Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church, where students conducted the entire worship service in multiple languages.
In addition, Student Association officers played a key role in organizing various events. Under the guidance of teachers Sharee Bramham and Audrey Fabriga, these students coordinated spirit days, banquets, “night in” events and chapel services. Several officers also spoke during the spring week of prayer, encouraging their peers to stand up for their faith.
The annual Spring Student Celebration highlighted the musical talents of the school’s choirs and honored classroom volunteers. During the event, the Golden Embers yearbook was dedicated to Jason Vargas, Home and School Association leader and former TAA teacher. Editor Katelyn Dohlman commended Vargas for his continued support of the school.
Nine students received leadership awards based on student voting. Elementary honorees were: Keyri Macal-Martinez (spiritual leader), Steve Lian (honest worker) and Elisha Cortes (Road to Excellence). In grades 5-8, the honorees were: Levi Ham (spiritual leader), Zane Seery (hardest worker) and Jocelynn Briones (Road to Excellence). High school recipients were: Juan (Andres) Peralta-Velazquez (spiritual leader), Danielleah Manez (hardest worker) and Alyssa Gilliam (Road to Excellence).
Teachers also selected three overall Students of the Year: Lian Cing, Briana Perez-Roblero and Khual Sian Kai.
The event concluded with a tribute to Victoria Toews, who retired after ten years at TAA and 35 years in public education. Students past and present honored her with roses and thank-you cards in appreciation of her.
With a strong finish to the school year, the TAA community looks forward to continued growth in 2025-2026—in students, teachers and faith.
By Caroline A. Fisher
Development Director
